Irish blessing, Joan Chittister column link are appreciated

Judy Russell
·5 min read

Editor's note: Judy's column will return Jan. 7. Happy holidays!

Many of you know of my love for all things Irish. It’s part of my heritage.

A friend in Oshkosh, knowing this, included in the Christmas greeting from her and her husband an illustrated card and verse of an Irish Christmas Blessing.

So I share it with you now:

“God grant you lightness in your step,

A smile on every face you meet,

Loved ones gathered at your hearth,

And at your door, good friends to greet.

A holy hymn upon your lips,

A window candle burning bright,

And may the Good Lord bless your heart

And come to dwell there Christmas night.”

Here are some upcoming church and religious events in the Oshkosh area:

  • It’s no secret that my favorite writer of all things spiritual is Sr. Joan Chittister, the Benedictine sister whose home is the monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania. Imagine my excitement and surprise when part of my column that was published on Dec. 10 in the Oshkosh Northwestern is highlighted in Chittister’s weekly online column of Dec. 18. Under the heading of What’s New is included the subhead “Quoted in Oshkosh Newspaper.”Here is what it says: “Joan Chittister’s insights into grief were quoted in an article about a 'Blue Christmas' service that was held recently in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The writer of the piece noted that Sister Joan wrote, ‘Grief is a process of many stages and no guaranteed cutoff points. When something happens that, in our minds, should not have happened … there is no charting the time it will take to recover.’” Then there is a link to my column “Click here to read the article.” It includes my column photo and the notation “Judy Russell, religion columnist for Oshkosh Northwestern Media.” To view Chittister’s weekly column, go to joanchittister.org. (https:// joanchittister.org/content/vision-and-viewpoint-subscription)

  • No reservations are necessary to have a Christmas Day meal at Father Carr’s Place 2B, 1062 N. Koeller St., Oshkosh. Dine-in meals will be served from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Saint Mother Teresa Center. If you cannot get there, order a delivered meal by calling 920-231-2378. Christmas Day meal deliveries will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon. If you can help deliver meals, just show up Christmas morning.

  • Most gift-wrapping paper cannot be recycled because it is mixed with materials such as plastic, glitter, dye, ink, laminate, foil and sticky tape. The same is true for gift bags and bows. All destined for the landfill. The Caring for God’s Creation Committee from St. Jude Parish in Oshkosh suggests that you use some creative alternatives to store-bought wrapping paper. This includes old maps, newspapers, magazines, calendars, fabric, tea towels, scarves, pillow cases, tote bags, children’s art work, tins, jars, baskets and recycled boxes. Use twine or fabric strips in place of ribbons and bows. For the person who has everything, make a charitable donation in their name.

  • You can view Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity in Oshkosh through Jan. 1. The Christmas light/sound show is the creation and production of 14-year-old Brody Enli and can be seen outside the family’s home at 1874 Westbreeze Drive. Donations of food, books, and money are accepted for various local charities. Viewing hours for the display are 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

  • A Three Kings Party will be held at St. Raphael Church, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, after the 5 p.m. Mass on Jan. 6. The event, which includes dinner, and activities for youths and adults, will run from approximately 6 to 7:30 p.m. Child care will be provided for children younger than age 5.

  • It’s time to order pizzas as part of the largest fundraiser of the year at Wesley United Methodist Church in Oshkosh. Wesley is back to making and selling pizzas for 2024. Orders are due by Jan. 4 from three choices of 12-inch-crust pizzas – cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. There are no combination pizzas. Pizzas can be picked up the same day they are made, Jan. 20. Pickup at the church, 761 Florida Ave., starts at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. As usual, you can donate money to supply pizzas to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. Wesley donated 360 pizzas to the pantry in 2023 through this project. To place an order, contact Tracey Lovell at 920-589-5136. Pizzas of the same price may be mixed when buying in groups of three.

  • Volunteers from Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, on Dec. 30, will host a Loaves and Fishes meal at Trinity Episcopal Church downtown. They will serve the meal in Trinity’s undercroft (the fancy church word for basement).

  • During Sunday morning worship on Dec. 31, First Congregational Church in Oshkosh will include time to name and give thanks for loved ones who have died during this year.

  • The Noisy Offering for November and December at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oshkosh has been designated for the Christine Ann shelter in Oshkosh. The Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services operates a 37-bed emergency shelter for individuals and families needing safety and shelter in an abusive situation.

Thought for the Day: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, especially the blessing of Christmas.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject “Church news.” Deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.

Read Judy's previous column here: Casa Esther increases aid to those in need

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Judy Russell shares Irish Christmas Blessing, Oshkosh events